I installed OCZ Vertex 2 SSD on a Mac earlier today. Just like any SandForce based SSD, it is screaming fast.
AT&T to Acquire T-Mobile USA From Deutsche Telekom
The news breaks on Sunday March 20th, 2011 that AT&T has come to agreement to buy T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom.
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) and Deutsche Telekom AG (FWB: DTE) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which AT&T will acquire T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom in a cash-and-stock transaction currently valued at approximately $39 billion. The agreement has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies.
Both AT&T and T-Mobile USA are working on next generation networks using HSPA+ and LTE. Even though both companies are currently on GSM and UMTS/HSPA network, they are using different frequencies for the 3G network.
Previously Bloomberg reports that Deutsche Telekom and Sprint are discussing merger of T-Mobile USA and Sprint. Such merger would have been an interesting move since T-Mobile is operates GSM while Sprint operates CDMA network.
What would the future brings with the merger of AT&T and T-Mobile USA? AT&T would become America’s largest wireless carrier.
AT&T vs. Unsanctioned Tethering.
On Thursday a Reddit user posted a screenshot of an email from AT&T regarding the use of tethering on the iPhone. Numbers of MyWi users have spoken out that they have received such notice from AT&T through SMS followed by email.
One of the SMS reads:
“AT&T Free Msg: Did you know tethering your Smartphone to a computer requires a tethering plan? Pls call 888-860-6789 for details or visit att.com/dataplans.”
The email from AT&T clearly pin-point user for using unsanctioned tethering method on their network:
Dear [Customer],
We’ve noticed your service plan may need updating.
Many AT&T customers use their smartphones as a broadband connection for other devices, like laptops, netbooks or other smartphones– a practice commonly known as tethering. Tethering can be an efficient way for our customers to enjoy the benefits of AT&T’s mobile broadband network and use more than one device to stay in touch with important people and information. To take advantage of this feature, we require that in addition to a data plan, you also have a tethering plan.
Our records show that you use this capability, but are not subscribed to our tethering plan.
If you would like to continue tethering, please log into
your account online at Cell Phones and Cell Phone Plans – Wireless from AT&T, or call us
at 1-888-860-6789 Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. CST
or Saturday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. CST, by March 27, 2011
to sign up for DataPro 4GB for Smartphone Tethering.…….
The story was submitted to Hacker New and numerous other sites. There are many theories on how AT&T identifies users using the unsanctioned tethering method. It is still unclear if AT&T is targeting MyWi users only. Some speculate that AT&T is targeting users who clearly use incredible amount of data on their grandfathered unlimited data plan. Based on comments in modmyi.com forums, some users got the message even though they do not use tethering.
AT&T currently offers a specific tethering plan to smartphone users:
DataPro 4GB for Smartphone Tethering
- $45 per month (this gives you 4GB in total, combining both your smartphone data plan for $25 and the tethering feature, $20)
- $10 per each additional GB thereafter, added automatically as needed
- Mobile Hotspot capabilities are included for compatible Smartphones
The story has since been picked up and re-reported by numerous sites:
- Reddit – AT&T has identified my tethering through MyWi 4.0 and is threatening to change my unlimited plan if I do not stop. Anyone know how the MyWi tethering works or how they would be able to know that it is tethering?
- OSXDaily – AT&T Cracking Down on Unofficial iPhone Tethering & MyWi Users
- Engadget – AT&T tells customers using unauthorized tethering methods to pay up or stop
- Ars Technica – AT&T shames unauthorized phone tetherers, gives ultimatum
- TUAW – AT&T aggressively moving against unauthorized tethering
One can only wonder if AT&T really analyzes the data use or primarily goes after those who use unbelievable amount of data on their smartphone plan.
Have Nexus One and Palme Pre 2 users been notified by AT&T? Those two phones do not require any jailbreaking or rooting to use the tethering feature without signing up for the tethering plan on AT&T.
Reaching out for Japan.
Throughout the Weekend, 37′ crews have been trying to contact our associates in Japan. We wish for their safety as we wait to hear from them.
Google has set up information page for 2011 Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami. You can find links to emergency numbers in Japan, Donation and other resources.
Apple has set up Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund through iTunes.
The Spat between Verifone and Square.
Disclaimer:
We here at 37′ are using Square to take credit card payment. We have recommended Square to others over Intuit GoPayment. We have not considered using VeriFone in the past.
VeriFone fired the first salvo (www.sq-skim.com):
Today is a wake-up call to consumers and the payments industry. Last year, a start-up named Square introduced a credit card reader for smartphones with the goal of making it very easy for anyone to accept credit cards through a mobile device. Seems like a great idea, but there is a serious security flaw that Square has overlooked that places consumers in dire risk.
…….
The issue is that Square’s hardware is poorly constructed and lacks all ability to encrypt consumers’ data, creating a window for criminals to turn the device into a skimming machine in a matter of minutes.
…….
We call on Square to do the responsible thing and recall these card skimming devices from the market.
Douglas G. Bergeron
Chief Executive Officer
VeriFone is “concerned” that Square card reader does not encrypt the information it reads from credit card magnetic stripe. According to VeriFone, anyone can write some an app that utilize Square credit card reader and using it to capture all information from credit card magnetic stripe. In essence Verifone is calling out Square for providing a credit card reader that can be used for criminal purposes.
For some reasons, it reminds me of HDCP compliant scheme. For example, multimedia signals must be encrypted from the Blu-ray Disc to Blu-ray player to the HDMI cable to receiver to the display. Well at least that’s what Verifone wants us to believe.
Unlike Blu-ray Disc, a credit card is not encrypted. Not in the magnetic stripe, and not on the card itself. All the information about the credit card is visible on the card itself. Credit Card number, account holder name, expiration date and raise-printed on the card. The CSV code is printed on the signature field. Anyone can easily copy the informations.
Today one of our competitors alleged that the Square card reader is insecure. This is not a fair or accurate claim and it overlooks all of the protections already built into your credit card.
Any technology—an encrypted card reader, phone camera, or plain old pen and paper—can be used to “skim” or copy numbers from a credit card. The waiter you hand your credit card to at a restaurant, for example, could easily steal your card details if he wanted to—no technology required. If you provide your credit card to someone who intends to steal from you, they already have everything they need: the information on the front of your card.
Some say that VeriFone sees Square as a threat; John Gruber nicely summarized:
VeriFone’s FUD attack on Square didn’t happen until after Square reduced its fees to well below VeriFone’s rates.
If somehow Square are “recalling” the current credit card readers and replacing them with the encrypted ones, would VeriFone be satisfied?
Is VeriFone, a $4.2b company threatend by Square, a company with $37.5 million in startup funding? (Dollar figure is from TUAW)
——-
VeriFone Payware Mobile is available for iOS devices.
Internet Explorer Countdown, The Original Campaign.
Apparently Microsoft wants you to move off of Internet Explorer 6. Here’s a screenshot of the original campaign site:
Apple Seeds iOS 4.3 GM to Developers.
Reports are coming in that Apple is seeding iOS 4.3 GM to developers one week ahead of its March 11, 2011 release date. Historically, the GM build would become the public release version.
iOS 4.3 is available for:
- iPad
- iPhone 4 (GSM)
- iPhone 3GS
- iPod touch 4th Gen
- iPod touch 3rd Gen
iOS 4.3 will be available for download for free on March 11th, 2011.